Three Phase Induction Motor

An electrical motor is such an electromechanical

device which converts electrical energy into a
mechanical energy. In case of three phase AC
operation, most widely used motor is Three phase
induction motor as this type of motor does not
require any starting device or we can say they are
self starting induction motor.
For better understanding the principle of three
phase induction motor, the basic constructional
feature of this motor must be known to us. This
Motor consists of two major parts:

Stator: Stator of three phase induction motor is

made up of numbers of slots to construct a 3 phase
winding circuit which is connected to 3 phase AC
source. The three phase winding are arranged in
such a manner in the slots that they produce a
rotating magnetic field after AC is given to them.

Rotor: Rotor of three phase induction motor

consists of cylindrical laminated core with parallel
slots that can carry conductors. Conductors are
heavy copper or aluminum bars which fits in each
slots & they are short circuited by the end rings.
The slots are not exactly made parallel to the axis
of the shaft but are slotted a little skewed because

this arrangement reduces magnetic humming noise

& can avoid stalling of motor.

Working of Three Phase Induction Motor

Production of Rotating Magnetic Field
When the primary winding or stator is connected to a three phase
alternating current supply, it establishes a rotating magnetic field
which rotates at a synchronous speed.
The direction of rotation of the motor depends on the phase
sequence of supply lines, and the order in which these lines are
connected to the stator. Thus interchanging the connection of any
two primary terminals to the supply will reverse the direction of
rotation.
The number of poles and the frequency of the applied voltage
determine the synchronous speed of rotation in the motors stator.
Motors are commonly configured to have 2, 4, 6 or 8 poles. The
synchronous speed, a term given to the speed at which the field
produced by primary currents will rotate, is determined by the
following expression.

Synchronous speed of rotation = (120* supply

frequency) / Number of poles on the stator
Production of magnetic flux
A rotating magnetic field in the stator is the first
part of operation. To produce a torque and thus
rotate, the rotors must be carrying some current.
In induction motors, this current comes from the
rotor conductors. The revolving magnetic field

produced in the stator cuts across the conductive

bars of the rotor and induces an e.m.f.
The rotor windings in an induction motor are
either closed through an external resistance or
directly shorted. Therefore, the e.m.f induced in
the rotor causes current to flow in a direction
opposite to that of the revolving magnetic field in
the stator, and leads to a twisting motion or
torque in the rotor.
As a consequence, the rotor speed will not reach
the synchronous speed of the e.m.f in the stator. If
the speeds match, there would be no e.m.f.
induced in the rotor, no current would be flowing,
and therefore no torque would be generated. The
difference between the stator (synchronous
speed) and rotor speeds is called the slip .

Secrets behind the rotation:

According to Faradays law an emf induced in any
circuit is due to the rate of change of magnetic flux
linkage through the circuit. As the rotor winding in
an induction motor are either closed through an
external resistance or directly shorted by end ring,
and cut the stator rotating magnetic field, an emf
is induced in the rotor copper bar and due to this
emf a current flows through the rotor conductor.
Here the relative velocity between the rotating flux
and static rotor conductor is the cause of current
generation; hence as per Lenz's law the rotor will
rotate in the same direction to reduce the cause
i.e. the relative velocity.

Thus from the working principle of three phase

induction motor it may observed that the rotor
speed should not reach the synchronous speed
produced by the stator. If the speeds equals, there
would be no such relative velocity, so no emf
induction in the rotor, & no current would be
flowing, and therefore no torque would be
generated. Consequently the rotor can not reach at
the synchronous speed. The difference between
the stator (synchronous speed) and rotor speeds is
called the slip. The rotation of the magnetic field in
an induction motor has the advantage that no
electrical connections need to be made to the
rotor.
Thus the three phase induction motor is:
Self-starting.
Less armature reaction and brush sparking
because of the absence of commutators and
brushes that may cause sparks.
Robust in construction.
Economical.
Easier to maintain.